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Cyrus McCormick, Easter, George Pullman, Graceland Cemetery, Jesus, photo, Robert Wadsworth Lowry
A tranquil place to contemplate the meaning of Easter is the famed Graceland Cemetery in Chicago. Opened in 1860, it consists of 119 acres of “pastoral landscape” in the heart of the north side. Graceland is the final resting place for both ordinary and prominent citizens, including Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the reaper, and George Pullman, inventor of the sleeping car.
The beautiful grounds include a chapel and a small body of water–Lake Willowmere. They are an attraction for both residents and tourists. The cemetery even has special rules governing tour buses.
Find yourself a quiet space and walk along with my husband and me as we roamed yesterday through this hushed historic spot, scented with fresh grass and blossoming trees. While you imagine that you’re roaming with us, allow your heart and mind to meander to the true meaning of Easter.
And now I invite you to recite (or sing if you know it) this poem by Robert Wadsworth Lowry:
Low in the Grave He Lay
Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph over His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph over His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph over His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Write Along with Me 
The slide show brings to mind the times we would drive past Graceland when I was a child living on the north side of Chicago. I don’t recall if we actually drove through the cemetery. We sang “Low in the Grave He Lay” yesterday in our service. A beautiful and moving poem and song.
Cynthia
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I’d never been to Graceland and a friend’s husband was just buried there. At the front office, they found the grave location for me so we could find it. Such a large place in the midst of the city. Lots of open space that made me wonder how much is already sold. I love “Low in the Grave He Lay” too. As a kid, I used to like that the alto part was easy and I could sing it and stay on tune. Lois
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